according to kyle woodlief of redline report
"And most are aware that this new rule is being applied retroactively to European prospects who have already been drafted. We assumed this meant all European players, and that a player such as ... oh, let's say Evgeni Malkin, a 2004 selection by Pittsburgh, would have to be signed by this June. Otherwise, the Penguins would lose his rights and Malkin would be free to enter this year's grab bag.

But now we are told (though we have yet to receive official confirmation through NHL channels) that the NHL has made a special exemption for previously drafted Russians due to the fact that the Russian federation has not signed off on any development deal with the NHL. The time limit on signing Russians is apparently three years, meaning Pens GM Craig Patrick has a reprieve until June of 2007."

It was reported by most media outlets at the CBA signing that the rule was that all Euros not under contract then had 2 years to get signed, ie June 2007. If what Woodlief said is true then every prospect drafted from Europe prior to 2004 would be a UFA if they were over the draft age. That didn't happen.

guiner wrote:according to kyle woodlief of redline report"And most are aware that this new rule is being applied retroactively to European prospects who have already been drafted. We assumed this meant all European players, and that a player such as ... oh, let's say Evgeni Malkin, a 2004 selection by Pittsburgh, would have to be signed by this June. Otherwise, the Penguins would lose his rights and Malkin would be free to enter this year's grab bag.

But now we are told (though we have yet to receive official confirmation through NHL channels) that the NHL has made a special exemption for previously drafted Russians due to the fact that the Russian federation has not signed off on any development deal with the NHL. The time limit on signing Russians is apparently three years, meaning Pens GM Craig Patrick has a reprieve until June of 2007."

g

And if the Russians continue to not be a part of the IIHF agreement, you will see less Russians drafted and the ones that are will likely go later thn they otherwise would have. Teams take the likelihood of getting a player to North America into account when making their picks.

I wonder if the league will decide to exempt Russians already taken from that rule until they would agree to the transfer agreement.

guiner wrote:according to kyle woodlief of redline report"And most are aware that this new rule is being applied retroactively to European prospects who have already been drafted. We assumed this meant all European players, and that a player such as ... oh, let's say Evgeni Malkin, a 2004 selection by Pittsburgh, would have to be signed by this June. Otherwise, the Penguins would lose his rights and Malkin would be free to enter this year's grab bag.

But now we are told (though we have yet to receive official confirmation through NHL channels) that the NHL has made a special exemption for previously drafted Russians due to the fact that the Russian federation has not signed off on any development deal with the NHL. The time limit on signing Russians is apparently three years, meaning Pens GM Craig Patrick has a reprieve until June of 2007."

g

And if the Russians continue to not be a part of the IIHF agreement, you will see less Russians drafted and the ones that are will likely go later thn they otherwise would have. Teams take the likelihood of getting a player to North America into account when making their picks.

I wonder if the league will decide to exempt Russians already taken from that rule until they would agree to the transfer agreement.

According to the Feb RLR newsletter Woodleif predicts only 10-15% of 06 draftees (30-35 total) will be Euros. He claims 28 and 25 Finns alone were drafted in 01 & 02. He doesn't distinguish Russians from the other Euros, but says the main reason is the new 2 year signing rule on Euros. He claims NHL scouts are talking openly about staying away from Euros.

The Pens traditionally have drafted US players and Euros because they did not have to sign them in 2 years as they did with CHL prospects. Some of our friends to the north have mistaken this as a disdain for CHL players.

As far as the Kessel vs. Johnson debate drafting the higher rated player is the way to go.

Draftnik wrote:According to the Feb RLR newsletter Woodleif predicts only 10-15% of 06 draftees (30-35 total) will be Euros. He claims 28 and 25 Finns alone were drafted in 01 & 02. He doesn't distinguish Russians from the other Euros, but says the main reason is the new 2 year signing rule on Euros. He claims NHL scouts are talking openly about staying away from Euros.

The Pens traditionally have drafted US players and Euros because they did not have to sign them in 2 years as they did with CHL prospects. Some of our friends to the north have mistaken this as a disdain for CHL players.

As far as the Kessel vs. Johnson debate drafting the higher rated player is the way to go.

Not at all surprising considering all the resources a team invests in a pick, especially in the higher rounds.

I would guess team will do more scouting of US high schools and colleges. College players are not subject to the 2 year rule because of NCAA regulations, correct? Theoretically, a team could draft a high school senior and not have to worry about signing him for 4 or 5 years.

netwolf wrote:I would guess team will do more scouting of US high schools and colleges. College players are not subject to the 2 year rule because of NCAA regulations, correct? Theoretically, a team could draft a high school senior and not have to worry about signing him for 4 or 5 years.

Right, college guys that elect to stay in school are exempted. There were 10 Minnesota natives selected in the 1st 2 rounds last year, an unprecedented amount. Woodleif predicts 10 Minnesotans in the top 100 picks this year.

netwolf wrote:Does RLR say anything about the likelihod of Kessel wanting to turn pro right away, whether that means NHL or AHL? Also, do they say anything about his ability to play the wing? Thanks in advance...

Not really. The fan newsletter is a 4 page scaled down version of their professional newsletter. It is mostly a compilation of observations from tournaments plus info on guys moving up the charts. The draft preview will have more in depth info on those questions.